Atriplex wrightii

S. Watson

Wright's saltbush

Amaranthaceae Edible: Leaves, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 14 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Evergreen shrub reaching 1 m tall and wide at medium growth rate, hardy to UK zone 8 and frost-hardy. Wind-pollinated. Prefers light sandy to medium loamy well-drained soils of poor fertility; grows in neutral to very alkaline and saline soils. Full sun required; tolerates both dry and moist conditions with good drought resistance.

Description

Edible Uses

Edibility (summary & rating). Leaves esteemed as potherbs by the Pima; boil to temper salts/irritants. Seeds are likely usable as in other Atriplex, though not highlighted here. Edibility rating: 3/5 (good boiled green when young). Parts used & preparation: Leaves - Harvest tender spring growth, boil (change water if needed), and use as a side vegetable. Seeds: If attempted, process as for orache—thresh/winnow/grind; cook [2-3]. Harvest tips. Take only young, tender shoots; if very briny/irritating, blanch, refresh, then finish cooking [2-3]. Traditional uses. Pima potherb (“salt greens”).

Traditional Uses

The leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten. The seeds are parched and made into a meal.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None Known

Known Hazards

No member of this genus contains any toxins, all have more or less edible leaves. However, if grown with artificial fertilizers, they may concentrate harmful amounts of nitrates in their leaves. The seed contains saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Mexico, North America, USA,

Cultivation

It is an annual and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome. The native range of this species is Arizona to W. Texas and Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua). Season & phenology: Often flowers in spring; leafy flush early with moisture pulses. Identification notes: Scurfy herb, bright gray-green; typical Atriplex bractlets on female flowers; recognized locally as “salt greens.” Habitat & distribution: Desert swales, ephemeral washes, saline flats of s. AZ/NM/TX. Growing conditions & cultivation: Full sun; drought/alkali tolerant; responds to summer rains. Hardiness: Warm-season annual/biennial; reseeds reliably in USDA 7–10. Size & habit: 30–100 cm, branching clumps. Weed potential: Low–moderate. Abundant after disturbance/rains but not typically invasive outside niche. Lookalikes & cautions: Other desert oraches; same oxalate/nitrate precautions—boil and moderate use.

Propagation

By seed; shallow sow after winter or with summer monsoon moisture.

Other Uses

Good for desert swales, ephemeral washes, saline flats Special Uses

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms: Obione wrightii (S.Watson) Ulbr. Heterotypic Synonyms: A. radiata J.M.Coult.

Also Known As

Atriplex wrightii — Wright’s Saltweed, Obione wrightii, Atriplex radiata

References (2)

Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 104
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew